Canadian Investors: 3 Top TSX Stocks for December

Whether you prefer income stocks like Canadian Utilities Limited (TSX:CU) or growth stocks like HEXO Corp. (TSX:HEXO)(NYSE:HEXO), here are your best TSX bets this month.

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Target. Stand out from the crowd

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The Canadian stock market has hosted some truly incredible stocks in recent decades. Some have returned more than 10,000%, while others have increased their dividends for 30 years straight. Whether you prefer growth, income, or both, the TSX has a stock for you.

This fall, several notable TSX stocks have gone on sale. This month could be your last chance to scoop up these winners at a discount. Dig in, as there’s a little something for everyone.

Protect your assets

Economists and fund managers are increasingly worried about a recession in 2020. With Hydro One (TSX:H) stock, you can sleep easy.

Hydro One is one of the largest energy distributors in Canada, with transmission lines covering 98% of Ontario. Its secret to stability is that 99% of its cash flow is rate regulated. Every year, the company is guaranteed a certain price that it can charge customers. And it’s not just any guarantee: it’s a government guarantee.

Knowing how much you can charge customers in advance is a huge benefit. Often, these rate regulations extend years into the future, so no matter what happens over the next 12 months, Hydro One can maintain the same level of profit. The stock currently pays a 4% dividend, which should remain rock solid, even throughout a severe market downturn.

If you want to protect your assets, this is the stock to own.

Achieve nirvana

Want to protect your assets and grow your capital? Canadian Utilities (TSX:CU) stock is as close as it gets to achieving investor nirvana.

Around 86% of earnings are regulated. That’s not as high as Hydro One, but it’s still impressive. The other 14% of earnings aren’t incredibly volatile either, as they’re generated from long-term contracts. The company maintains an “A” credit rating and has an impressive history of rewarding shareholders.

Canadian Utilities now has a 47-year streak of increasing its dividend, the longest of any publicly traded Canadian company. The yield now stands at 4.3%. Since 1980, the stock has generated an annual total return of 12.2%. Management is still investing more than $1 billion per year to grow its regulated earning stream, so this really is the ideal stock for income, growth, and stability.

Grow faster

Are you willing to give up some stability in exchange for massive upside? HEXO (TSX:HEXO)(NYSE:HEXO) is for you.

Everyone knows that the cannabis market is growing like a weed. Over the next decade, legal marijuana sales could jump by 1,000%, reaching $100 billion worldwide by 2030. If the U.S. legalizes cannabis on a federal level, the global market size could triple overnight.

The question now is: how do you capitalize on this growth? HEXO looks like your best bet for multiple reasons.

Most pot companies are focused on becoming direct market players. That is, they’re growing weed and selling it to consumers. HEXO is taking a differentiated approach by sticking to the shadows.

Instead of competing directly, it’s partnering with Fortune 500 companies like Molson Coors Canada to co-create high-quality cannabis products that leverage existing brands. In 2020, it wants to team up with other well-known brands to target new verticals like sleep aids, beverages, edibles, cosmetics, and more.

Other pot stocks are starting their businesses from scratch. By partnering with major, pre-existing brands, HEXO is looking to get a head start on the competition. This strategy isn’t appreciated by the market yet, but a few more partnerships could shift the narrative quickly.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

The Motley Fool recommends HEXO. and HEXO. Fool contributor Ryan Vanzo has no position in any stocks mentioned. 

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